Filner Pleads Guilty To Battery And False Imprisonment Charges

Former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner (D) on Tuesday pleaded guilty to three criminal charges based on sexual harassment allegations.

Filner pleaded guilty to San Diego Superior Court presiding Judge Robert Trentacosta on charges of "false imprisonment by violence, fraud, menace and deceit" as well as a pair of misdemeanor charges of battery, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Tuesday.

The charges Filner plead guilty to were based on accusations of a trio of unnamed women. The former mayor resigned from office in August following allegations of sexual harassment by nearly 20 different women.

“This conduct was not only criminal, it was also an extreme abuse of power,” said California Attorney General Harris in a statement. “This prosecution is about consequence and accountability. No one is above the law.”

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Filner must surrender his Mayoral pension from the date the felony was committed (March 6, 2013) until the date he resigned office (August 23, 2013). He will serve probation for three years and home confinement for three months. The agreement also prohibits Filner from ever seeking or holding public office again. As a consequence of the felony plea, Filner may not vote, serve on a jury or own a firearm while he is on probation.

Filner is required to undergo treatment as directed by a mental health professional throughout his probation. If he violates the terms of his probation, he may face up to 6 months in jail.

Fines including restitution, probation and court fees will be determined at Filner’s sentencing hearing, which will be announced today.